If you're looking for a well thought out, guided, deep-sky observing challenge, this blog's for you. Steve O'Meara's Herschel 400 Observing Guide just landed on my desk. Oh my!
German-born English astronomer Sir William Herschel (1738–1822) ranks as one of astronomy's all-time superstars. He discovered Uranus, two moons around both Saturn and Uranus, and the direction in which our solar system is hurtling through space. He was also an indefatigable observer, discovering more than 2,500 deep-sky objects. The best of those comprise the Herschel 400.
O'Meara begins this observing guide with background about the list's origin, Herschel, and O'Meara's equipment and site. The next section, "How to use this book," provides all the definitions and instructions you'll need — and quickly. The book's heart — pages 20 through 332 — contains each object's general description, directions (how to find it by star-hopping), and what O'Meara calls "The quick view."
I found "The quick view" much more than that. These short summaries serve two functions: First, they give observers a way to compare their views to a veteran observer's. The differences you note may be due to your telescope, the quality of your sky, or your observing experience.
Second, "The quick view" provides mini-goals for each object. Frankly, most observers will not see much detail in these 400 targets. I know observers whose observing logs contain descriptions like, "indistinct," "barely visible," and even, "are they kidding?!?" O'Meara spots details you can look for: "Oval, elongated from northwest to southeast," "dark lane bordered to the west by a row of bright suns," and "a 12.5-magnitude star lies on its northwest flank." For those star-hoppers without go-to drives and who may want to rush ahead, O'Meara ends many quick views with, "Stop. Do not move the telescope. Your next target is nearby!"
Two details that make Steve O'Meara's Herschel 400 Observing Guide even more usable are the finder charts and the guide's chronological layout. O'Meara starts with objects best viewed in January and proceeds methodically through the year. So, any time you want to observe Herschel objects, just turn to that month. O'Meara also includes lots of images to which observers can compare their views, and Appendix B provides a checklist where you can record your observations.
O'Meara takes a list of admittedly faint objects and injects new life into them. Right or wrong, many amateur astronomers won't consider you a top-level observer until you've completed the Herschel 400. Don't do it for them, however. Pick up this book, set up your telescope, and do it for yourself. It's a lot of fun.